Explosion in Bucharest Nightclub Kills 27

An explosion in a Bucharest nightclub killed at least 27 people on Friday, sending another 180 to hospital.

According to government officials, the blast came during a Halloween rock concert at Colictiv. Though no cause has yet been confirmed local journalists have reported that it resulted from a pyrotechnics malfunction.

One witness told local reporters a firework exploded, setting some scaffolding alight that eventually fell into the crowd. Other witnesses claim the roof collapsed.

The club is located in a basement with a single exit. Once the fire had started most of the 300 to 400 concertgoers rushed the door.

“People were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke. It was total chaos, people were trampling on each other” Victor Ionescu, a witness to the event, said.

Image: Reuters

Over 60 fire engines and ambulances arrived on the scene after a call to emergency services was placed at 20:32 (GMT). A mobile hospital was set up outside of the club where individuals were treated for burns, smoke-inhalation, lesions, and other injuries.

“It is a very sad day for all of thus, for our nation and for me personally,” said Klaus Iohannis, Romania’s President.